GAINESVILLE, Ga (July 13, 2010) - Anticipating more than 10,000 users each year, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources opened a new megaramp on July 13 at Tugaloo State Park on Lake Hartwell, giving boaters and anglers greater access to the lake.

The new facility includes six boating lanes, plenty of parking and restrooms. The area will be accessible to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This ramp is one of more than 15 ramps being constructed around the state as part of the Go Fish Georgia Initiative. This initiative seeks to establish Georgia as a national fishing destination through 1) improving the quality of fishing in Georgia waters; 2) improving access to water bodies for fishing in Georgia; and 3) increasing participation through active promotion and marketing of Georgia’s exceptional fishing resources.

Georgia DNR received funding for the ramp as part of a natural resource damage settlement related to PCB contamination of Twelve Mile Creek which feeds into Lake Hartwell. The PCB contamination resulted from discharges from a manufacturing plant formerly located along the creek. Maintenance of the ramp will be handled by Georgia's State Parks and Historic Sites.

There have been several participating groups and agencies involved with the development of this ramp, including The Lake Hartwell Natural Resources Trustees, Georgia DNR, Franklin County and the City of Lavonia, the Facility Design Team for this project, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jeff Schwann for construction of the actual boat ramp and Simpson Construction Company for the development of the rest of this facility.

Situated on a wooded peninsula, Tugaloo State Park visitors have spectacular views of 55,590-acre Lake Hartwell in every direction. Fishing is excellent year-round, and large mouth bass are plentiful. During summer, the lake is a popular destination for swimming, water skiing, sailing and boating. Visitors can stay overnight in fully equipped cottages or the modern campground. The name “Tugaloo” comes from an Indian name for the river which once flowed freely prior to the construction of Hartwell Dam.

For more information on fishing or boat ramps, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com. For more information on Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, visit www.gastateparks.org.